[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 5]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR383.113]



[Page 198-199]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 383_COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE STANDARDS; REQUIREMENTS AND 

PENALTIES--Table of Contents

 

                 Subpart G_Required Knowledge and Skills

 

Sec. 383.113  Required skills.



    (a) Basic vehicle control skills. All applicants for a CDL must 

possess and demonstrate basic motor vehicle control skills for each 

vehicle group which the driver operates or expects to operate. These 

skills should include the ability to start, to stop, and to move the 

vehicle forward and backward in a safe manner.

    (b) Safe driving skills. All applicants for a CDL must possess and 

demonstrate the safe driving skills for their vehicle group. These 

skills should include proper visual search methods, appropriate use of 

signals, speed control for weather and traffic conditions, and ability 

to position the motor vehicle correctly when changing lanes or turning.

    (c) Air brake skills. Except as provided in Sec. 393.95, all 

applicants shall demonstrate the following skills with respect to 

inspection and operation of air brakes:

    (1) Pre-trip inspection skills. Applicants shall demonstrate the 

skills necessary to conduct a pre-trip inspection which includes the 

ability to:



[[Page 199]]



    (i) Locate and verbally identify air brake operating controls and 

monitoring devices;

    (ii) Determine the motor vehicle's brake system condition for proper 

adjustments and that air system connections between motor vehicles have 

been properly made and secured;

    (iii) Inspect the low pressure warning device(s) to ensure that they 

will activate in emergency situations;

    (iv) Ascertain, with the engine running, that the system maintains 

an adequate supply of compressed air;

    (v) Determine that required minimum air pressure build up time is 

within acceptable limits and that required alarms and emergency devices 

automatically deactivate at the proper pressure level; and

    (vi) Operationally check the brake system for proper performance.

    (2) Driving skills. Applicants shall successfully complete the 

skills tests contained in Sec. 383.113 in a representative vehicle 

equipped with air brakes.

    (d) Test area. Skills tests shall be conducted in on-street 

conditions or under a combination of on-street and off-street 

conditions.

    (e) Simulation technology. A State may utilize simulators to perform 

skills testing, but under no circumstances as a substitute for the 

required testing in on-street conditions.